News Release (Draft)

Department of Labor and Employment

30 October 2014

Towards Child Labor Free Philippines,

National Childrens Month ends on a high note

"Much has been done in the area of child labor prevention and elimination, but much
is still expected from us. Admittedly, poverty will always be seen as the culprit that
pushes children to work. Helping those who do not have the means is the
transformative action called upon by the inclusive growth framework.

This is the message of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz, at the close of the National Childrens Month, rallying a call on stakeholders
to continue partnering with the DOLE and other government agencies in ensuring
that child laborers and their families will be transformed and reintegrated into their
communities with a sense of self-worth, empowerment, and dreams.

The month-long celebration, spearheaded by the DOLEs Bureau of Workers with

Special Concerns (BWSC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC),
concluded with the Childrens Arts Festival held at the Skydome, SM City North Edsa
on 29 October, where close to hundred children and child welfare advocates from
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(PCCI),Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Laura Vicuna Foundation

Inc. Childrens Group, and San Juan National High School attended.

This years theme, Batang Malaya, Proteksyunan! Child Labor, Labanan!, amplifies
the importance of social protection in attaining sustainable and inclusive growth.

At the event, children were indulged in a festive treat with performances from
Rondalla on Wheels and Igal-Igal Badjao Dance; storytelling from Laura Vicuna
Foundation Inc. Childrens Group; and ventriloquist stint from Ony Carcamo.

Winners for the On-the-Spot Painting Contest, held last 18 October at the Ichikawa
Auditorium, Occupational Safety and Hazard Center in Agham Road, Quezon City,
have also been awarded.

For the first category with contestants ages 13 and below, the winners are: 1st Place
- Dandreb E. Angelitud, 11 years old, Bagong Silangan Elementary School; 2nd
Place Thrish Anne M. Hizon, 13 years old, Claro M. Recto High School; and 3rd
Place Kianne Marie P. De Torres, 12 years old, Catandaan Yabut National High
School.

The second category winners, ages 14 to 17, are: 1st Place Allen C. Enerlan, 15
years old, Bagong Silangan Elementary School; 2nd Place Ryan P. Derecho,14
years old, Dasmarias North High School; and 3rd Place Dany Cris M. Batiancila,
16 years old, Dasmarias North High School.

Winners for the Public Service Announcement were also recognized at the event, to
wit: 1st Place Sa Likod ng Ngiti by Jasmin Monroy; 2nd Place Kawikaan 22:6
by Euniz Johanne Garcia; and 3rd Place Malaya Nga Ba? by Dominique Osal,
Chinina Perez, and Armida Reyes.

Napakatagal na pong panahon na tayo ay nakikipagbaka laban sa child labor.

Napakalaki na rin po ng ating ipinuhunang lakas, salapi, at panahon sa ating antichild labor campaign, Baldoz said.

Substantiating this, she cited the favorable results of the Findings on the Worst
Forms of Child Labor by the U.S. Department of Labor to which the Philippines
reached the significant advancement status along with other 12 countries in the
Asia Pacific.

Pangalawang taon na po ito na significant achievement ang rating ng Pilipinas sa

nasabing US DOL Findings. Kaya po maipagkakapuri natin na nagtatagumpay po
tayo sa ating laban kung ito ang ating magiging batayan, Baldoz said.

While this may be a good news for us, we cannot be complacent. There is no other
way but up. We must further intensify this anti-child campaign -- to speak the
unspeakable and show the nation that which it refuses to see.

The winning entries of this years contests can be viewed and accessed at the
Batang Malaya Youtube Channel, Facebook Page, and the Child Labor Knowledge
Sharing System (CLKSS) website. The DOLEs BWSC is also brewing up

agreements with private sector and local government units for exhibiting the entries
on billboards and public vidiwalls.

The line of activities in the National Childrens Month, along with the Childrens Arts
Festival, is made possible in partnership with SM Skydome, SM Cares Foundation,
Canon Philippines, Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, and Jollibee
Foods Corporation.

END/hjtg